CBS chief weighs in on 'CSI,' 'Swingtown,' fall season at TCA panel
Jul 18, 2008, 04:43 PM | by Lynette Rice
Categories: TCA Press Tour, TV Biz
Promising a “DVR-proof” season of CSI, CBS Entertainment president Nina Tassler confirmed today that star Billy Peterson would leave the long-running procedural drama after the 10th episode but gave contradicting comments about whether he’s actually being replaced. Speaking at the annual TV critics tour in Beverly Hills, Tassler said the network will bring in a new, yet-to-be cast actor to play a scientist who will eventually become the head of the unit, a position previously held by Peterson’s Gil Grissom. “He won’t replace Billy but will add an element that is going to inform the dynamic of the team,” Tassler said. She also described the role as someone similar to Michael C. Hall’s character on Dexter ("serial killers have the same genetic profile"), but reassured reporters that he won’t be a murderer. "This man knows about himself and [the show] will follow his journey to discover his true character.”
In other news, Tassler said she’s disappointed with the ratings for Swingtown but has yet to decide whether to order any more episodes beyond the initial 13 planned for this summer. (She added that there are no plans for now to renew The Power of 10, hosted by Drew Carey.)
Tassler also explained why Gary Unmarried –- the new sitcom starring Jay Mohr as a recently divorced dad –- won’t be at press tour this year: he planned “over a year ago” to renew his vows with wife Nikki Cox at this time. And she denied any so-called Internet rumors that CBS was planning to overhaul The Price of Right. “We are very respectful of the brand and the integrity of the show,” she said. “Before Bob Barker left, we had a multi-year strategy to put a fresh coat of paint on the show. Some of those games haven’t been touched in 30 years. We wanted to make minor adjustments.”
Finally, Tassler confirmed that Sarah Chalke (Scrubs) will recur on How I Met Your Mother this season but said “I don’t think she’s the mother.”


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